Yes Raider fans, a 2-14 team came into your house and dealt you a loss.

There's been a lot of talk about how the Oakland Raiders will fare next season, with the services of Michael Bush and Darren McFadden in the offensive backfield, and another year of experience under the belt of JaMarcus Russel.

I'm here to tell you, that you should be keeping a close eye on what Kansas City does during the offseason. They're in position to quietly steal the show in the AFC West.

Earlier this week, the Chiefs announced that they're handing over control of all operations to Scott Pioli, former Vice President of Player Personnel for the New England Patriots.

Now, I'm not trying to say that he's going to work miracles in one off-season. The Chiefs aren't going to win the division next year. It's still San Diego's stomping grounds.

But, here is one soundbite from Pioli's introductory press conference in Kansas City:

“We’re going to build a team that is a team; my job is not to collect talent, it’s to build a team,” he said. “Individuals go to Pro Bowls. Teams win championships. That’s our goal here – to build this team with the right kind of people and the right kind of players, and consistently compete for championships. We’re going to build a big, strong, fast, smart, tough, disciplined football team.”

As a Patriots fan, it's hard for me to avoid plugging the decade I've had the luxury of enjoying. It has been a time where, no matter who was on the weekly injury report, and no matter how many guys were sent to IR... my beloved Pats still found a way to win football games.

Scott Pioli was a major contributor in building that environment.

Hard work is underrated in the NFL now-a-days... even after watching the success in New England. There are so many teams that think they can just sign talent and that will be the end of it.

Look at the Dallas Cowboys, for example. They've got all the talent in the world. But, instead of putting in long days and studying playbooks... they were filming a TV show for HBO last year.

The Cowboys didn't make the playoffs this year, with all that talent.

Again... I'm not saying Pioli is about to work miracles in one off-season, but no matter who the Chiefs have on the roster at the start of next season... I promise you that they're going to win more than two games.